The Daily Delight No.8
Every day (and eternity) is all there is
Before we get started, did you know you can listen to me read these to you each week? Just click play above if you’re driving or walking!
Have you ever looked up and realized it’s somehow 9:30 a.m. and you haven’t had a sip of water—let alone brushed your teeth—yet your children have eaten a balanced breakfast, taken their vitamins, read their Bible, and are now fully dressed at school?
Just me?
No, it can’t just be me because everywhere I look, messages abound reminding us to make sure our “cups are full.” You know the messages I’m talking about:
Fill your tank first
Put your own mask on before helping others
Self-care, self-care, self-care
Besides the cliche, I don’t have any issue with these charges. There is wisdom in caring well for what you’ve been given (physically, mentally, emotionally- all the allys). And it is true that you can’t help others if you are unwell. Recently, I found myself longingly reading variations of these cliches in meme form while mindlessly scrolling.
Honestly, I have just felt tired at the end of each day. Like a fruit roll-up pulled until you can see through it- sweet but stretched. No matter how many novels I read, walks I take, or baths I soak in, I can’t seem to really “fill my tank” like these reels are imploring me to.
But then I remembered a quote from Joan Didion,“ Every day is all there is” and I’ve settled on these two things:
If I end my day with an “empty cup”, as I do most days, I’m okay with that. I daresay, I want it that way. Because every day is all there is, and I want to lay it all out on the line every single day. (Queue all the hype music, please.)
At the same time, for me, by the gift and grace of Jesus, today is not all there is. I have the luxury of eternity. In that light, pouring myself out “recklessly” or “without reserve” today feels like a no-brainer because I have direct access to the inexhaustible source of life.
Let’s unpack that a bit. If I were living under the reality of a limited energy source, myself, for example, the above-mentioned warnings/cliches would bear much more weight. You can’t pour from an empty cup. That is a fact. And I am limited in what I can do in my own strength before running out of physical capacity, patience, kindness, etc.
I empty easy.
But because I am in Christ I know that when I spend myself on a worthy cause- loving God, loving people, serving the needy, working with excellence- the Holy Spirit is faithful to refresh what inevitably will grow weary. I do not have fear of depletion. No matter how many times I end the day feeling I’ve poured every drop out, my cup will always be refilled. Not out of my own striving and resources but from God himself. And what he restores is much more satisfying than the temporary relief of a good bubble bath.
Granted, I have found myself countless times zapped from the pursuit of unworthy causes. Example: have you every binge watched a show and left the haze feeling insanely tired and depressed its over? Or is that one just me too?
Sidenote: I’m not great at knowing how to “fill my tank.” At the end of the day 9/10 what sounds refreshing is an ice-cream cake and Netflix. 9/10 I indulge in that, I regret it.
That is why I’m so grateful that the Spirit guides us in all truth. When I slow down enough to listen, He leads me in what my soul really needs.
-Identity crisis, he reminds me who I am. —> I’m a daughter of God. A woman with purpose.
-Physically drained, he calls me to rest in him. —> Drink a cool glass of water, sit outside and read. Take a walk. Share a drink with a friend and chat.
-Overstimulated or anxious, he gives my heart peace. —→ No words for this one, it just settles on me sometimes.
I’ve been given today with purpose and a plan. I want to live lavishly, giving the best of me to my children and husband. I want to contribute every ounce of creative gifting I have to bless and bolster the community. I want to give generously and love deeply without fear- because I can’t take my “full cup” with me to heaven.
What I can do is come to Jesus with open hands, willing to receive what He is so faithful to give, and pour it out freely, knowing there is always more coming as long as I’m alive. Every day is all there is, but in light of eternity, we’re totally free to empty the tank without reservation or fear.
So pay attention to the details of your day. What is sparking interest or curiosity? What feels dangerous to jump into but also absolutely irresistible? I know I say this a lot, but don’t hold back or store up what you ultimately have no control over. Spend yourself on those worthy passions without fear of depletion. Try to remember what a blessing it is to be exhausted from the pursuit of a well-lived life and remind yourself who the source of true refreshment is. And for goodness’ sake, drink some water when you wake up.
The Daily Delights No. 8
What I’m Eating:
This Texas Sheet Cake by Joy the Baker was amazing. I’ve made her pumpkin Texas sheet cake as well, and I just can’t get enough. However, to dress it up for Memorial Day, I topped it with whipped cream frosting and berries in a pleasing patriotic manner.
Grilled everything: At least twice a week, we do a huge grill session with chicken breast and vegetables. We use this basket to get our veggies charred and crisp but still juicy. We’ve been wrapping shucked ears of corn and sweet potatoes in foil and laying them on the grill to steam, and it’s so yummy!
Yasso Bars- thank you, Jesus. Something about a popsicle in the summer is just delightful.
Pisatchio lattes with Fairlife milk. We were gifted a Nespresso years ago, and I love making lattes at home. They just released an iced pistachio double espresso pod- bless you, Nespresso people. I’ve been pairing that with brown sugar swerve and frothed cold Fairlife (for a little extra protein), and I truly look forward to it every single morning.
Bonus Delight: While we’re talking about gifts, my mom gave me these cups for my birthday two years ago, and when I tell you that drinking out of them brings me such delight…
What I’m Wearing:
Bottom Left- This dress is light and fun for the summer. I love all the feminine bow details that have sprung up in fashion lately!
Top Right- I love the classic, comfortable silhouette of this linen dress. Generally, just the overall vibe: I want to live in a breezy dress with ice cream all my days. So when I found this..
Bottom Right- …black linen dress for $9- I snagged it! It is too big, but one of my fatal flaws is thinking I can fix anything. “I’ll just bring it in!” I thought. Like, I can sew anything beyond a button. I can’t. Luckily, my friend Rebecca graciously offered to do it for me. She’s going to bring it in an inch in the armpits, leaving the sides loose. I’ll give an update soon!
Thanks again for reading/ listening to week 8 of The Daily Delights. If you’d like to be notified next week, please hit the button below to subscribe and share with a friend!
These words are so necessary. I relate to the ice cream cake + Netflix craving a bit too much! Also, that blue and white striped dress on you is unreal--a perfect find!